For the Southern States. 67 
Scrape off the grass and young weeds with the hoe, and pullup the 
large ones by hand. Crab grass is peculiarly inimical to the sweet 
potato, and should be carefully kept out of the patch. The vines 
should never be allowed to take root between the rows. Sweet pota- 
toes should be dug before a heavy frost occurs; a very light one will 
donoharm. The earth should be dry enough to keep it from sticking 
to the potatoes. Thé old fashioned potato bank is the best arrange- 
ment for keeping them, the main points being a dry place and venti- 
lation. ‘ 
Varieties generally cultivated in the South. 
The Yam. Taking into consideration quality and *productive- 
ness, the Yam stands at the head of the list. Frequently, when baked, 
the saccharine matter in the shape of candy will be seen hanging to 
them in strings. Skin and flesh yellow, and very sweet. Without a 
doubt, the best potato for family use. 
Southern Queen. Very similar to the former, but. smoother, 
the tubers having no veins or very few; it is earlier. 
Shanghai or California Yam. This is the earliest variety 
we have, frequently, under favorable circumstances, giving good 
sized tubers two months after planting the vine. Very productive, 
having given 300 bushels per acre when planted early and on rich 
land. Is almost the only kind cultivated for the New Orleans market. 
Skin dull white or yellow, flesh white, dry and mealy, in large speci- 
mens frequently stringy. : 
There are some other varieties of Sweet Potatoes highly prized in 
the West, but not appreciated here. The Red and Yellow Nanse- 
mond are of a fine quality and productive, but will not sell so well as 
the California Yam when taken to market. For home consumption 
they are fine, and deserve to be cultivated. 
PUMPKIN. 
- Portrron (Fr.), Ktirpiss (Ger.), CALABAZA (Sp.). 
KENTUCKY FIELD. CASHAW Crook NECK. 
LARGE CHEESE. 
Are generally grown in the field, with the exception of the Ca- 
shaw, which is planted in the garden; but great care must be taken 
not to plant them close to Squashes or Melons, as they will mix and 
spoil their quality. Plant in hills from eight to twelve feet apart. 
Kentucky Field. Large round, soft shell, salmon color; very 
productive; best for stock. 
Large Cheese. This is of a bright orange, sometimes salmon 
color, fine grained, and used for the table or for stock feeding. 
Cashaw (Crook Neck.) This is very extensively cultivated in 
the South for table use. There are two kinds, one all yellow, and the 
other green striped with light yellow color. The latter is the prefer- 
able kind; the flesh is fine grained, yellow and very sweet. It keeps 
| well. This variety takes the place here of the Winter Squashes, which 
| are very little cultivated. 
